§ 6. Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the results of the feasibility study by consulting engineers R. Travers Morgan into a submersible tunnel crossing the River Conwy; and when he will indicate his decision on the matter.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)We expect to receive a report shortly. We will need to study it before saying when it could be made available to interested parties.
§ Mr. BestIs my hon. Friend aware that, on environmental grounds, a tunnel would be preferable, and that a decision will have to be taken shortly to meet the Secretary of State's deadline of 1987–88 for a route of strategic economic importance to the people of North Wales? I am sure that my hon. Friend is aware of that, bearing in mind that he represents the constituency of Conway.
§ Mr. RobertsI cannot give any commitment about the timing of publication, let alone a decision, until we have seen the report. I fully appreciate the importance of completing the improvements along the whole of the A55 as soon as possible.
§ Mr. WigleyWill the Minister confirm that the 1987 target date for completion of the dual carriageway can be met if they continue with the tunnel under the Conwy Estuary?
§ Mr. RobertsAs I have already said, we have not seen the report, and it 9 is impossible for me to answer that question. Various sections of the improvements are scheduled for different years. In the coming year, 1981, three schemes started will be totalling in value more than £120 million.